About

Improving Outcomes for Youth (IOYouth) works with state and local jurisdictions to align their policies, practices, and resource allocation with what research shows works to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for youth while enhancing public safety.

Most states and local jurisdictions struggle to ensure that resources are used efficiently to improve outcomes for youth in the juvenile justice system. Two-year rearrest rates in a majority of states are more than 50 percent for youth on community supervision and more than 65 percent for youth returning to their communities from residential facilities. Research has shown that investments in supervision and services have limited impacts on reducing recidivism and promoting other positive youth outcomes, such as those related to education and employment.

Improving Outcomes for Youth: A Statewide Juvenile Justice Initiative (IOYouth) helps states and local jurisdictions align their policies, practices, and resource allocation decisions with what research shows works to improve outcomes for youth while strengthening public safety. IOYouth positions policymakers and system leaders to

Match youth with the most effective level and type of supervision and services in facilities and the community;
Track system performance and youth outcomes to hold state and local agencies and service providers accountable for results; and
Ensure that resources are allocated efficiently across the juvenile justice and other youth-serving systems, as well as across state and local lines.